*********

From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Richard M. Smith)
To: "Declan McCullagh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Yahoo - Viisage Technology Offers FBI Free Use of Face Recognition 
Technology to Aid Investigation
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 14:33:43 -0400

This Viisage press release just went across the wires.  Visage is
feeling pretty happy today with their stock price having more than
doubled.  However, I'm a bit confused how face scanning systems can help
locate terrorist.  Terrorists aren't exactly lining up to have their
pictures taken to be put in a photo database.

Richard

  http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010917/172450_1.html

Viisage Technology Offers FBI Free Use of Face Recognition Technology to
Aid Investigation

LITTLETON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2001--Viisage Technology,
Inc. (NASDAQ: VISG - news), the leader in face-recognition technology
and identification systems and solutions that improve security and
conveniently protect personal privacy, announced that it has offered the
FBI free use of Viisage's face-recognition technology to aid in the
apprehension or identification of the persons responsible for the
terrorism in New York City and Washington.

This offer was made in writing to the FBI and was disclosed on a CNET
news interview Friday by Viisage President and CEO, Tom Colatosti.

``It is clear that the use of face-recognition technology can make a
real difference in identifying terrorists. Our technology was used with
great success at Super Bowl XXXV, where the security concerns were
similar,'' said Mr. Colatosti.

He went on to say, ``We are facing a national tragedy, unlike anything
America has ever endured - our prayers and sympathies go out to all the
families and friends of all the innocent victims. While there is now
much interest in our technology, we in no way want to profit off the
pain and death of our fellow Americans. While so many are so generously
giving so much - thousands of relief volunteers working tirelessly
around the clock, ordinary citizens donating food and blood, and
Corporations giving financial gifts, we want to give what we are able to
uniquely contribute.''

Viisage Technology is the world leader in biometric face-recognition
technology and identification systems and solutions that enhance
consumer convenience, improve security and protect personal privacy.
Originally developed at MIT, Viisage's patented, accurate, non-intrusive
and cost-effective face-recognition technology is widely acknowledged
for its unmatched performance including speed in real-time applications,
scalability for managing large image databases, and systems integration
for complete customer solutions.

Viisage provides a full family of face recognition products.
FaceEXPLORER(TM) is a powerful and scalable image retrieval and analysis
database product, used to combat identity fraud -- it is implemented in
the world's largest face recognition system with more than eight million
enrolled images. FaceFINDER(TM), acclaimed for its processing speed, is
the industry's most widely implemented surveillance and identification
system -- it is installed in more than 80 casinos worldwide and has been
deployed to improve security at premier sporting events. FaceNET(TM)
provides secure authentication for PC, Internet and e-commerce
connections. FacePIN(TM) offers consumers convenient and private
verification for point-of-sale transactions such as ATMs. FacePASS(TM)
is a practical security solution for keyless entry to secure facilities,
such as offices, dormitories and government facilities. FaceTOOLS(TM) is
a leadership Software Developers Kit that enables application providers
the ability to develop and customize unique customer and market
applications. 




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